News

O2 and Apple to launch iPhone in Ireland on March 14 [updated]

By Charles Starrett ● Thursday, February 28, 2008

O2 has confirmed that the company will carry the iPhone in Ireland, with a launch date set for March 14. The launch was confirmed in an account of likely performance indicators for O2’s fourth financial quarter; a website touting the device’s launch is now online. As in the UK, the iPhone will be available through O2 retail stores and through Carphone Warehouse. Pricing is similar to other European countries, as the 8GB model will sell for €399, while the 16GB model will run €499. Tariffs will begin at €45 a month. This news follows a report from yesterday, which found support for O2 Ireland in the latest iPhone software. [via Macworld UK]

Update: According to O2’s web site, none of the available tariffs include unlimited data, instead capping usage at a 1GB a month, and Visual Voicemail “is not currently supported.”

IMHO, a total ripoff! Once again, the Irish consumer is getting a raw deal!
It’s well known that iphone sales have been poor in the UK because of the cost of the iphone itself and the mandatory 18-month contract adding up to a considerable outlay over the course of the contract. The o2 UK tariffs above are an improvement on what was originally on offer at the time of the UK launch.

In addition, a 3G version is expected later this year, which makes me suspect that the handsets are being “dumped” in the Irish market. The story above, “UBS: Infineon chip to power 3G iPhone, coming mid-year … the current EDGE iPhone platform is being ramped down earlier than expected to “clean” inventories.” would appear to confirm this.

Irish consumers are happy to put up with bad value and if they’re unhappy, they simply grumble and don’t complain. The Irish mobile market is a real cash cow for the Irish arm of the o2 group. Value for money is not a phrase that Irish mobile companies are familiar with.

Posted by Charles Starrett on February 28, 2008 at 10:31 AM (CST)

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Can you advise when we will be able to purchase movies in ireland. It seems we are always last to receive updates!!!!